166 Days To Go - Fossil

Archaeological site on the canyon

TL Report: Exchange folks, time to get on the stick to arrange reservations if you haven't done it yet! If you have any questions contact me!I have put a new page on the links to the right about exchange logistics. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

After input from some tribe members, we decided we will be eating at Marble Canyon Lodge the night before we put in at Lee's Ferry (this is not covered by the trip). If you would like to stay at the Marble Canyon Lodge the night before we launch here is the link. Moenkopi will pick you up the morning of the trip to rejoin us at the put in. Everyone else will be camping at the put in.




What the Grand Canyon forums are chatting about this week: Archeology in the Canyon along the river. Check out this really cool video below. Hit the "standard" link next to the video for DSL users.

Mileage This Week: River Mile 125-127. At river mile 125.5 we'll run Fossil Rapid, class 5 (out of 10). This is a read and run s-shaped rapid. At river mile 127, we'll pass Randy's Rock.


Randy's Rock


GC History: Here's the story of how Randy's Rock got it's name:

On the mighty Colorado, once you are inside a major rapid, it is impossible to turn or maneuver your raft because the water is too strong and fast. So you must set your boat up straight at the top of the rapid before you enter, and then hang on for dear life once you’re in it. Boats full of people flip quite often on the river, and that was what happened to us on our trip.



But we did not flip on Lava Falls or Sockdolager or some other big rapid on the river. It wasn’t even a rapid, and it didn’t have a name at the time. Because there are long stretches of open, flat water on the Colorado, it is common for the professional boatmen (or boatwomen) to turn the oars over to passengers to give them the experience of rowing. This was what Randy did. A passenger was rowing, and no one noticed the big rock jutting from the water ahead of us. We reacted too late. The power and speed of the river even in this mild stretch caught us off guard, dumping us all into the drink.


Two of the passengers were not strong swimmers and not wearing their life jackets. I towed one to shore, and Randy pulled out the other. Everyone made it to shore safely. But our inflatable six-person rubber raft was wrecked. It filled with water and both ends of it wrapped around the rock. The only way we eventually set it free was by cutting it with a Buck knife.


There were two other boats on the trip, following after us. They picked us up, and the five of us on Randy’s boat squeezed into their boats and rode the rest of the way. We recovered our clothes and gear, stored in waterproof bags, as they floated down the river until getting snagged on rocks or running aground.


Our mishap became a permanent part of rafting lore on the Grand Canyon. It is virtually impossible to lose a raft on the Colorado, because the force and power of the water will almost always push it off a rock or wherever it is stuck. But we had done it. We had achieved the impossible, and if you look in the official guidebook for rafting on the Colorado, at Mile 126, you will see the notation for “Randy’s Rock Rapid.” That is the true story of how it got its name.

http://kevinnelson.wordpress.com/2009/09/11/randy-breckenridge-and-a-true-story-of-the-colorado-river/

Equipment/Camp/Info Check: If you are interested in what first aid we are bringing check out the Moenkopi first aid kits below. We will also probably be bringing IV fluids. That's what happens when you have a bunch of nurses on your trip. :-)

MAJOR FIRST AID LIST (one per trip/on last raft)

Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Antihistamine
Anti-fungal ointment
Anti-bacterial ointment
Vaseline
Cervical Collar
Eye Wash
Stethoscope
Blood pressure cuff
Mineral Oil
Hydrogen peroxide
Tincture of Benzoin
Oil of Cloves
Ipecac Syrup
Sam Splint
Razor
Needles
Scissors
Thermometer
50 band aids
4 eye pads
4 butterfly bandages
10 2X2 Gauze pads
Ace wraps
Triangular bandages
2” gauze roll
Trauma dressing
Tampons
Bed sheet
Phisoderm
Campho phenique
First aid book
Signal mirror
Helicopter signal (2) 3’ X 10’ Orange

Moenkopi addition to NPS reg.
Kaopectate
Cough suppressant
Anit-bacterial soap
And sanitizer
Baby shampoo
Earwax removal aid
Hydrocortisone cream
Insta-glucose
Molefoam
Safty pins
Snake bit kit
Treatment for insect bites

MINOR FIRST AID (on every raft)



Anti bacterial hand sani o band-aids assorted
Anti bacterial ointment packets o butterfly band aids
Hydro cortisone cream o q-tips
Burn gel packets o moleskin
Eye drops o tampons
aspirin
Ibuprofen
scissors
Tylenol
tweezers
Antacid
Razor
Glucose
Safety pins
Anti diarrhea
triangular bandage
anti histamine
adhesive tape
Sam splint
2X2 gauze
ace bandage
3X3 gauze
gloves
Eye pads
pad and pen
Roll Gauze
pen light
Next Deadline: Final trip balance is due February 15th.